OneClub campaign nominated for Football Business Awards

Commerce City, Colo. – What started with a rally in downtown Denver back in February is now a conversation in the European soccer community.

The Colorado Rapids kicked off the “OneClub” campaign prior to the 2012 season with fans signing a massive Rapids jersey outside the Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

Now the innovative endeavor - which features the names of Rapids Season Tickets Holders embedded into the fabric of the 2013 jerseys - is competing against the marketing concepts of international soccer clubs FC Internazionale Milano (Italy), Coritiba FC (Brazil), FC Zenit (Russia), and Club Brugge (Belgium) for the Best Club Marketing Campaign (Overseas) at the inaugural Football Business Awards in London.

“From the beginning of the year, our OneClub initiative was designed to bring everyone involved in the Rapids – players, coaches, staff, and especially our fans – together in their support of the club,” said Rapids President Tim Hinchey. “We’re honored to be nominated for this award, and see it as a reflection of our fans’ passion for the Rapids."

The 2012 Football Business Awards, which will be hosted by Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge on November 8, were ‘designed to celebrate excellence and acknowledge success in the business of football. The Awards will recognize the essential role that business plays in football, the positive impact of football on the community and vital role played by the businesses which serve the game.’

The Best Club Marketing Campaign (International) Award will go to the club that had the best marketing of the club in general, ‘but could also apply to a particular marketing campaign,’ according to the official site.

A distinguished panel of judges, featuring CEO’s and Managing Director’s from a variety of companies including football clubs, sponsors and caterers as well as some related media and associations, will select the winners in a variety of categories including marketing, sponsorship, service, venue, retail and merchandize, community service, social media, technology, and hospitality.